Classifying the Pittsburgh Steelers season to date as a rollercoaster ride appears to be the perfect analogy. There have been near heart-stopping moments, ups and downs, and plenty of twists and turns. The latest twist involves none-other than starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
In last Sunday’s 34-12 win over the Bengals the plot thickened on the Steelers up and down season as first half action drew to a close. After unloading a pass, on a second down play a trio of Bengals defensive players simultaneously belted Rodgers, sending him crashing to the Acrisure Stadium grass. Upon getting to his feet, Rodgers clutched his left hand, even though he took one more snap on the next play, afterward he raced to the sideline through the bench area straight to the steps of the locker room. “I was in a lot of pain Sunday,” Rodgers said.
The replay showed Rodgers attempting to cushion the blow by using his left arm to brace his impact with the ground. He did not return to action in the second half and it was later revealed he suffered a fractured left wrist. Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph took the reins guiding the team that some deemed an admirable performance.
Steelers Nation is once again stuck in limbo awaiting the status of Rodgers for the upcoming trip to Chicago to face Caleb Williams and the Bears. Both teams are at the top of their respective divisions. Williams, in his sophomore season running the Bears offense, at times showed flashes of his college brilliance however he is still in search of that marquee outing in the professional ranks.
Pittsburgh’s braintrust would love nothing more than to have their offense remain status quo with Rodgers under center. Why wouldn’t they? Over the length of his career Rodgers has owned the Bears so to speak, checking in with a record of 25-5 including two playoff wins. The last time Chicago has beaten a Rodgers quarterbacked team was 2018.
Rodgers was asked if there is extra incentive to return Sunday given his successful history against the bears. “There’s incentive for every opponent, but I have enjoyed many a Sundays and Mondays and Thursdays in that city,” Rodgers said.
Sitting out the first few days of this week, Rodgers returned to the practice field as a limited participant Thursday and Friday. Officially his status for Sunday’s matchup is listed as questionable. Many in the media and Steelers inner circle believe it will be just before kickoff on game day when head coach Mike Tomlin reveals his starter. With Rodgers’ status uncertain, backup Mason Rudolph will be the signal caller if he isn’t medically cleared. If the unexpected scenario plays out, Rookie Will Howard would serve as Rudolph’s backup. Ultimately it will be a decision by the medical staff, Tomlin and Rodgers himself.
Steelers medical personnel have been working on finding a brace that is a comfortable fit for the non-throwing hand of Rodgers. The ultimate goal is to get Rodgers under center to take a snap. That in itself seems to be the major issue after Friday’s workout at the South Side training complex. Rodgers appeared well enough to take snaps out of the shotgun formation and was able to catch the return toss to him after passing drills. Taking snaps under center will be a very tall order.
Speaking to reporters Rodgers said, “It feels better than it did Sunday, that’s for sure.” Rodgers did work with head athletic trainer Gabe Amponsah focusing on rehabilitating his injured wrist. Rodgers stated, “The goal was to try and get back to the practice field.” He dispelled the myth that his ability to play would be related to pain management stating,”It’s a safety thing, I have to be able to protect myself.”
Rudolph is no stranger to being thrust into taking a snap and piloting the offense at a split seconds notice as he has done it time and time again. With the decision made that Rodgers would not return, he had no pre-second half conversation with Rudolph as he simply pointed to him with his index finger. That silent signal was all Rudolph needed knowing he would be the signal caller after the break.
In Rodgers absence, Rudolph completed 12 of 16 passes for 126 yards, tossing one touchdown in just two offensive possessions. Rodgers offered this about Rudolph, “He’s a great backup. He is a professional. He is a player. I’m thankful for the way he played Sunday and the way he prepares every week.”
Two offensive possessions in an entire half of football, not counting the final kneel-down to end the game, is a subject that needed to be addressed this week at practice. Even though both possessions resulted in putting points on the board, a touchdown and a field goal, opponents with a high powered offensive attack will quickly put the game out of reach. Two offensive possessions in my opinion is totally unacceptable in any game during the season. In games prior, the Bengals showed they are an explosive team offensively, unfortunately for Cincinnati the Steelers defense did a stellar job in holding them to just 12 points.
Should Rudolph be named the starter against Chicago, it will be his first start since a Week 17 loss a year ago when he was with the Tennessee Titans. Rudolph was originally a 2018 third round pick by the Steelers who was brought back this season after his one year hiatus. During his prior go-around with the team, in his original last season, Rudolph started the final three regular season contests securing a playoff berth with three wins.
The Steelers have had their share of injuries to key players up to this point in the season and the Rodgers setback, if there is indeed one, is the latest notable injury. Along with Rodgers, Cam Heyward (ankle) and Darius Slay (concussion protocol) are also listed as questionable, Alex Highsmith (pectoral injury) is listed doubtful against the Bears. Dealing with injuries in any sport is something every team deals with, how they adapt and overcome such adversity sets that team apart from the others.
At this point in the season, with parodity in AFC North, Pittsburgh needs to adapt and overcome by putting together a lengthy winning streak no matter who the signal caller is. Racking up the wins, especially against division opponents will create enough breathing room with the playoffs lurking in the not too distant future. Not to mention the option is always on the table to allow injured players that little extra time to rehab and recuperate.
In the case of Rodgers injury, on the surface it appears coach Tomlin is more than willing to wait until the last possible minute to name his starter. Keeping the Bears wondering on the status of a starting quarterback forces them to prepare for two signal callers. Rodgers and Rudolph have two different styles of play, being ill-prepared for either could spell doom. Coming out on the wrong side of the scoreboard will cut into Chicago’s lead in their division, provided others in the division notch a win.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said he has “contingency plans” as the starting quarterback for Sunday’s game is still uncertain. He went on to state, “It’s my job to be ready, be prepared either way.”
Rodgers summed things up by saying, “Mr. Coach Tomlin will have the ultimate decision for Sunday.”
Each one of us can be the prototypical armchair or Monday morning quarterback being as opinionated as we see fit and that will never change. For now, we simply sit and wait like everyone else for the outcome of who will take the snaps in Chicago.
In the event Rodgers doesn’t relinquish his starting role against the Bears due to his injury, then I suppose the basis of this article will be a moot point. In a scant few days we will have the answer to the question.
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